Ja Morant, Steven Adams secure double-doubles in Memphis Grizzlies blowout win vs. Hornets
Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama pump-faked a corner 3-pointer before driving to the rim and throwing down a two-handed dunk. After Aldama's dunk, Ja Morant jogged up the floor pointing at Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford. Morant was signaling that Clifford should call a timeout, and as soon as point guard Dennis Smith Jr. crossed halfcourt, Clifford did just that.
Memphis was up 10 in the first quarter when Clifford opted for a break in action, and things only got more lopsided.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a quick start and defeated the Hornets 130-99 at FedExForum.
Morant had 12 points, 11 assists and a nifty behind the back pass to Brandon Clarke. Steven Adams also recorded a double-double, finishing with 13 points and 19 rebounds. Dillon Brooks led all Grizzlies scorers with 23 points.
The Grizzlies (6-3) are 3-0 at home this season. Charlotte (4-6) dropped its third consecutive game.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
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Finding a rhythm
With Jaren Jackson Jr., Danny Green and Ziaire Williams yet to suit up in regular season games, the Grizzlies have a preferred 10-man rotation, but minor injuries have limited the reps. The Grizzlies had those 10 players available for the second consecutive game.
Jake LaRavia was available in Wednesday's win against the Portland Trail Blazers, but he did not play. Before Friday's game, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said the team wanted to get him more conditioning after he dealt with a non-Covid illness. LaRavia played as part of the second unit Friday.
The Hornets were without two of their top scorers, Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball hasn't played a game this season.
Clicking on all cylinders
Friday was the first time this season that all Grizzlies starters reached double figures, and it only took until 8:45 left in the third quarter to do so. The Grizzlies' starters came out hot and didn't cool off. Memphis outscored Charlotte 41-24 in the first quarter.
The way Memphis jumped out to its quick start was noteworthy, as top scorers Morant and Desmond Bane combined for only five of the first 41 points. Morant did have six early assists, and Brooks was the main beneficiary. Brooks made all four of his 3-pointers in the first quarter and led Memphis with 14 points. He finished by tying a career high with six 3-pointers.
As impressive as Brooks started the game, Steven Adams may have been just ass good. He scored the first four Grizzlies points and had 13 points and 16 rebounds in the first half.
Bane was the quietest starter with four first-half points, but he continued his trend of playing his best basketball in the second half. He finished with 19 points.
Defense doubles down
Maybe the Grizzlies defense can turn things around again after a slow start for the second consecutive season. The Grizzlies had one of their best defensive performances on Wednesday, and they added another masterpiece against Charlotte. Brooks and Morant hounded Smith, and the Grizzlies frontcourt held P.J. Washington to two-for-15 shooting.
What's Next
Memphis will host the Washington Wizards on Sunday at 5 p.m. That matchup will be the first night of back to back that concludes with a game against the Boston Celtics.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant, Steven Adams secure double-doubles in Memphis Grizzlies win
